Pen and Robin travel for several days, following the route they'd planned to take along with the word they'd had from Vista about what was safe and what wasn't. They do have a few encounters along the way with firelilly incursions, but they can avoid Green-controlled zombies, which they see once at a distance.
Robin keeps a tactical eye out on the Shadows to see how suitable they would be to mold into an Ordered Shadowpath from Pontus to Arden.
Soon enough, though, they're back in lands that Pen recognizes, though the nearer parts of the land are scorched and drowned, as they might after firelilly incursions are beaten back.
They've ridden closer to the city than Pen likes before a patrol sees them at a distance. "Halt!" an Amazonian voice calls at a distance. "Who goes there?"
"Hail Euryale, daughter of Lysippe. It is Captain Penthelisea of the Glorious Cataphracti, and I have with me an honored guest of the Lands of Arden. We have come a long way, and we would speak with Queen Thalestris if she would welcome us."
Robin lets Pen make the introductions. She's now on the Captain's lands and hopes she can be as good a guest as Penthelisea was in Xanadu. And Amber. And Arden. Verde, she's dragged the poor Captain around.
The patrol rides forward. "Hail, Captain! And your honored guest as well." She (and the patrol) seem most interested in the miniature drakones flying around the guest.
"The Queen will welcome you, I am sure. You will find her at the Theater of Dionysus. Tonight is the second day of the Great Dionysia."
Pen turns to Robin, "If we're lucky, the playwrights will have started with a comedy. Thalestris has a weakness for dramas and tragedies, but they color her mood terribly. Still, this is a good portent."
Robin nods with a smile. "That is good news. We can use all the good portents we can get."
Then she turns to the patrol and gives them a respectful nod as well. "Hail. And my thanks for your welcome. My name is Robin. And this is Peep, Chirrup and Ooot." She indicates each of the firelizards as she introduces them with a grin.
The warriors, who are all female, salute Robin and Pen. They seem to be mesmerized by the fire lizards. It's clear to Robin that the firelizards know this and are showing off. It's a good thing none of them has Firestone.
After suitable formalities, they leave the patrol and head for the amphitheater where the play will be staged.
Robin reins in her so-very-impressive fire lizards so as not to distract from the play. It's all claws on Mom time.
Pen's return is noted and the two of them are quickly escorted to the Queen's box. The play is about to start, but from experience, Pen knows that the quiet business of the court will continue. The royal box is not a place for intense study of the play, but rather to have been at the play and in the presence of the Queen. Robin and Pen are handed drinks as soon as they are let in.
Robin accepts her drink with a smile of thanks and an investigatory sniff. Regardless of the outcome, she takes a hefty swig while looking around at the royal box, the amphitheater and the audience in general. Just taking it all in.
The play starts and the acoustics and vocal training of the chorus and narrator allow the introduction to be audible even at this distance.
"My Ladies, Nobles, and Your Magestiy, I present you with a truly great work of playsmithing. Our Laureate, the playwright Diotima, favored by Queen Thalestris, has been working on this story, she says, for the last five years. I present to you the Royal players, with their rendition of a new play, 'The Death of the God of Springtime, or Adonis' Sacrifice.'"
The audience applauds wildly, and the Queen spots Pen across the room and beckons her over.
As the applause swells, Robin's stomach shrinks into a cold icy ball and she freezes. Then her little bird brain goes into overdrive. A small part of her is still mad at Adonis but it's fading. Part of her is guilty that she's mad. Part of her is grieving. Part of her knows that five years hasn't passed to work on the play. And if it has, she doesn't want to stay in Pontus too long at all, given that time dilation. Part of her really, really doesn't want to see this play. Part of her wonders if she's in it.
It's just all a big corfluffle of thoughts and emotions. Enough so that she misses the Queen's gesture.
Plays of divine history are staged traditionally. Three women play all the parts, and the chorus delivers most of the story. The tale is of the five seasonal goddesses of the Arcadian Groves. Each rules Arcadia in her time, and her children flourish grow, and pass as the five seasons pass. War has come to the land of Arcadia, in the form of the terrible Black Road that sends monsters from beyond to attack even the Gods and Goddesses of Arcadia.
The Goddess whose season It was when the attack came was Artemis of Arcadia (and the chorus is very clear that this is not Artemis of Pontus, and that this is not a tale of Blasphemy). Her son, Adonis Adonai, fights valiantly against the monstrous invaders of the black road. He leads armies of the devoted, and Robin doesn't quite think she is amongst them, but her father is reflected in the leader of divine forces that Adonis calls upon but who cannot come to his aid.
In the key scene in Act III, Adonis worries that his time must soon end, and he fears that his summer counterpart, Pan, will not be capable of waging war, as he is a feckless drunkard. His mother, Artemis of Arcadia, tells him not to worry, and that all is happening as she plans, and that she has taken care of the problem.
The chorus (and Adonis) enter Intermission very concerned about what his Mater may or may not have done.
Pen stands formally at attention, her helmet cradled in one arm, her spear in the other, until the Queen's eyes scan to where Pen and Robin are standing. "Permission to approach, My Queen?"
If given assent, Pen will step forward, making sure that Robin is close behind. Pen will hand off her helm and spear and clasp forearms with Queen Thalestris, an Amazonian sign of respect and greeting.
"My Queen, this is Ser Robin of Arden, an honored comrade, and a strong ally. We have much to discuss when time permits."
Robin shakes herself back to the world around her. She approaches the Queen and bows respectfully. All the while keeping the firelizards on her person.
The queen acknowledges the bow. "Ser Robin, welcome to Pontus. We are, alas, in need of comrades and strong allies. May the relationship between Arden and Pontus prosper from this day forevermore."
She looks over to the stage, perhaps a bit wistfully. "Come, sit with me and tell me what you have seen and done since I sent you out, Captain."
"My Queen, I have traveled many dark roads and seen the relentless desolation of the green sickness. It moves with a terrible quickness and its mark is difficult to disperse. I came upon a troop of rangers from the Forest of Arden, dispatched by the Warden there to destroy a rampant infection of a devil weed known as the firelily that grows and spreads the green sickness. I made allies of the Warden's rangers, and together we laid waste to their number. As we slept, the source of the firelily, a beast of Arcadia, dispatched an inhuman army to exact revenge and remove the threat. They slew many of the rangers even as they slept, and I nearly died myself fighting a lieutenant that resembled a minotaur of legend. He was terribly strong, and he rained blows upon me that should have slain me, but I ended him, and the remaining rangers put me on my horse and brought me to their healer, of their own accord. They could have easily counted me among their dead."
Pen pauses to catch her breath.
"I assisted in the recovery of captive children of Amber, in recompense for my healing, only to discover that I am, myself, a scion of that family, most likely on my Mother's side. I spent time in conversation with King Random, Prince Gerard, Prince Warden Julian and others. Brave women, strong women. Arden's Rangers are willing to ally with us against the Green Blight and our common enemy, the Dragon of Arcadia. Your word could provide a sizable company of Amazons more than equal to this task. I would beg for the honor to lead them, but gladly follow whomever you chose."
Queen Thelestris listens as intently as a monarch ever does; her eyes dart to see the other dynamics of the room and the reaction to the play, but long experience tells Pen that the Queen has not missed her words.
"I am inclined to both grant and deny you this boon, Captain. But not for the reasons you might suspect. Primus, I would not lose you to this threat. As a relation to our neighbors, you are far more useful in their courts than in the fields of battle.
"And yet I will not give you an order such as 'go not into battle', because any of us so admonished would likely spend considerable effort finding reasons such a command needs must be disobeyed.
"I am inclined, in this case, to give you a joint command with Aristomache. Her remit will be to lead the troops with our Allies. Yours shall be to protect and further the iterests of Pontus, on the field or off."
She sits back, eyes as always taking in the whole room.
Robin quietly listens as the Queen and Captain talk. The thought of a company of Amazons brings a light of glee to her eyes. Now if only they could get a resupply as well. Would that be pushing it, Robin wonders.
The Queen notices Robin’s response, but doesn't say anything.
And though it was hard -- really, really hard -- Robin now knows that she is capable of clearing the Green away. And her mind still wanders to a fire-lilly blight. Maybe a short-lived insect that fed on them... Something that she could gift to their new allies.
Pen makes a quick assessment. The Queen's words are carefully chosen, but they appear to allow a path for Pen, at least for now, to provide allies to Arden against Arcadia and still serve the interests of Pontus.
The idea of a joint command with 'Risto brings a smile to the Captain's face. There isn't a more skilled tactician among her people that she'd rather have by her side. Pen nods respectfully and beams.
"Many thanks, My Queen. We will meet with Aristomache, and begin preparations."
The Queen smiles. "Surely there is time to finish the evening's drama. I am quite curious to see how Adonis deals with whatever his Mother has done to protect them. Has she paid too high a cost?" She looks at the stage, where the chorus seems ready to begin. "Drama is always full of lessons to be learned or ignored. It is a long-term conversation between the past and the future, mediated by the now."
Aristomanche is not in the box, but can probably be found quickly, either during or after the second act.
Robin nods at the Queen's words. She is both dreading and curious herself about what the second act will bring. Though she could leave if Pen is eager to get started.
Pen tilts her head to Robin and indicates they should move outside the sunken seats of the semi-circular theatron, where they can speak without disturbing anyone.
Pen bows respectfully to the Queen, and withdraws with permission.
Robin bows as well and follows Pen out of the theatron.
When outside the environs of the theater, Pen says to Robin, "The Queen suggests I remain for the performance, but you are not bound to do so unless you choose."
Pen is able to describe in good detail how to reach her dwelling from the theater, should Robin wish to get some rest or have a meal. Pen promises to be along after a bit.
Pen adds that Robin is also welcome to explore.
Robin listens to Pen's directions carefully, not so much to leave but to help orient herself within the city.
"Iiiiii think I'd like to stary for the rest of the performance," Robin says. "I'm curious as to what will be shown and even more curious as to what inspired the playwright."
Robin pauses and remembers how open Pen has been with her. And decides that more words are needed.
"You see, Adonis was my brother. I didn't know him well... and we fought whenever we met. It's interesting to see how he is portrayed. And how the events of the War are remembered elsewhere."
Robin shakes her head. "I wasn't there for most of the War so even a fictional view is intriguing to me." The Ranger's words kind of drift to a stop and she shrugs, not really being able to put into words all the conflicting emotions that swirl around inside her.
Pen suddenly remembers a very specific Saturday from her childhood and relates the memory of it to Robin.
Pen's Mother, Myrina, and Queen Thalestris had been discussing the prospect of extended shelter for Myrina and Pen, and Thaelstris had put forward that Pen should be raised as an Amazon. Myrina was still weighing her options and wasn't sure how long they'd stay, and truly wasn't sure if her daughter should adopt this culture.
Thalestris discreetly invited Pen, and not her Mother, to attend a play with her and enticed Pen with her company and comforts; soft pillows, beautiful silks, even a lion pelt to recline on, and delicious fruits, cheeses, and pastries, and she let her sit next to her. The Queen's attention was often a commodity, but for this singular afternoon, it was lavishly spent on Pen.
The other attendees were all young women around Pen's age, and she would come to know many of them by name, and later call them friends.
The play centered on a young girl of Pontus being schooled in the history of her nation, and it extolled all the Amazonian virtues, and the challenges the women of Pontus have faced over the centuries. It was rich with pageantry and choreographed battles. There were ambitious women, oppressive men, a period of terrible slavery, honorable sacrifices, bloody battles, noble deaths, stirring speeches, and admirable heroes.
It was tailored to enthrall young women with pride, honor, and excitement. It was meant to inspire interest in sport, battle, and a hunger to discover the rituals and mysteries of the Amazons.
When the play was done, Queen Thalestris asked Pen how she liked it, and Pen was like an empty cup that had been filled with love for the Amazons.
Pen spent the next two weeks explaining to her mother how desperately she wished to become an Amazon, and eventually, her Mother relented, and agreed with Queen Thalestris.
Pen hadn't thought of that day for years, but the manipulation was so obvious to her now.
She learned later that the play was commissioned by the Queen shortly before it was performed before Pen. It's still performed every year in the late Spring.
"Oh Robin, I have to wonder if the Queen foresaw your coming and sought to prod you with this. I'm so very sorry for your brother. I can't imagine seeing this acted out, and what it must feel like. I'm so very sorry."
"Thank you," Robin murmurs, still unsure how she feels about it herself. Her mind returns to a different argument -- one with Brennan. Where Brennan proclaimed her brother a hero whom he fought beside and who bravely gave his life to save his children. Whereas Robin felt that Daeon was a pompous trouble-maker who took the easy way out rather than live to... to... to aid in the conflict with Arcadia and to heal their battered relationship.
She shakes her head to clear away her scattered birds of thought.
"Is your Queen given to foresight? Or is this just an interesting coincidence?" Robin asks of Pen.
Pen is very clear, "I've known her to be manipulative, certainly, also an excellent tactician, and extremely well informed by those that observe for her, but I've never known her to use sorcery to divine the future."
Pen adds, "However, this is too specific to be a coincidence. She must've known not only when I was returning, but whom I was returning with, and what story would be keenly felt. There's something here that we're not seeing."
"I'm prone to coincidences." Robin says, "The whole Family is. It's part of our nature. On the other hand, I also run into a lot of folks who know more than I do.
"At least this time, I haven't ended up drugged or in prison." A laugh, a grim laugh, but a laugh nonetheless escapes Robin.
"Well, let's see what the next act has to say." Robin gestures back toward the theatron. "Maybe it will... well, will something." The Ranger shrugs. She knows she's not being very articulate, but that's the way she's feeling. Stupid words. Stupid emotions.
The audience quiets as the chorus returns. They give a recap of the situation and the play continues. Adonis spends act four beating back the invaders, but finds, in the final scene, that his mother has made a deal with Chronos, the got of time to allow her son Adonis to live forever at the cost of all further changes of the seasons. Act Five consists of the calamity of an eternal springtime that will not turn to summer or autumn, and the overgrowth of the lush green plants everywhere.
There is no one in Pontus who doesn't see the similarities to the green invaders.
In the finale, Adonis ends up killing himself and his mother to usher in the summer season and restore the natural order and allow the plants to wither and die.
"Huhn." Robin puffs out a breath, stirring the hair over her forehead. “Well, that's not as close to what happened as the first part was. Adonis' mother was very much alive that last I heard. Though the seasons being off is at least somewhat based on fact. And I've never really given much thought as to where the Green comes from...."
"There is much to consider, but at least for now, we have the promise of Amazon troops to our cause, and 'Risto no less, to help lead them. If you're agreeable, let's take our leave and get some rest."
"Sure," Robin says with a subdued chirp.
"Also, do you know who we would ask to see if there were any firelillies in Pontus. IIiiiii... have an idea that might work against them."
Pen thinks for a second, and nods, "There is someone we can talk to. Let's see if she's about."
Pen walks at a good pace and explains, "The Queen's First is an important advisor who assists in carrying out her directions and making sure everything that she needs to be done gets completed. If there is anyone in Pontus that would know if there are firelillies here, other than the Queen herself, it would be her First."
Robin nods her understanding. She's still a little morose after watching the fictionalized death of her brother, but she keeps up with Pen's pace.
After a while, she deems it okay to let the firelizards fly a little as long as they stay close.
They pass a number of structures along the way, many of which seem to take advantage of the environment. Less ionic columns, and more ovals, circles and smooth surfaces. There's ready access to flowing water, though it stops in stretches, and marble pools, some of which are surprisingly empty. A stretch of gardens and fields seem like they should be rich with crops, but are blighted.
It feels like things may have gotten worse.
Robin takes in her surroundings with a keen eye and reaches out with her senses for a feel of the shadow, especially listening for any trace of the static of Chaos or the smell of Green.
The surroundings have an autumnal feel to them, after the passing of summer and the waning of the year. "Blight" seems to be an appropriate description If this is related to the Green, it is a decaying Green not a growing Green.
As they reach the end of the path, they come to the home of the First, and Pen knocks at the door.
The First is working at home, and her servants welcome Pen. They are very interested in Robin and her exotic pets (as they describe them). After waiting a few moments, the First comes to the outer rooms to greet Pen. She looks remarkably placid for someone who is effectively the Queen's right hand.
"Penthelisea, I had heard you had returned, and with an ambassador from foreign powers." She nods toward Robin, waiting for an introduction. Unlike her servants, she isn't particularly distracted by the Firelizards.
Robin is happy to introduce herself and the firelizards to the servants with many chuckles and croons. By the time the First appears, some of the Ranger's natural lively disposition has reinstated itself.
"Ranger Robin of Arden," Robin says brightly with a head bow. "Here to investigate an alliance between our two lands." Robin is prepared for any greeting gesture that might be needed.
The First smiles and returns Robin's head bow. "I have heard you were here, Ranger Robin, but we have only just learned of your land's existence. We are naturally interested in alliances and mutual defense, especially against the scourge that is attacking us. What can you tell us of the origin of this perverse green growth?"
"There is a land, near both of ours, named Arcadia." Robin replies in a quiet voice. "They are undergoing a civil war at this time. The... Great Power of that realm is named the Dragon. But while the Dragon has slept for many, many years, she is stirring now in the wake of the war. We believe that the Green is an... expression of the Dragon's desire to reclaim her realm and those around it.
"My father, the Warden of Arden, and myself can directly stymie the effects of the Green, but we are not able to confront the Dragon directly at this time."
"A land disturbed by war and the natural power, sensing this disturbance, has nightmares, and those nightmares lash out." The First closes her eyes and shudders. "Then the root is where the most effective solution could be found. Can the war be stopped? Can the Dragon be pacified, or fully awakened? Do you think the Dragon is suffering?"
"All good questions," Robin says. "For which I have few answers.
"I know that there will never be peace between the Warden of Arden and the Dragon," Robin says with sad sincerity.
"And I've had contact with a few of the Goddesses of Arcadia. At least two of them are happy to return the Dragon to its slumbers. But as to how that can be achieved?" Robin shrugs, "I do not know.
"I also don't know if the Dragon is suffering..." Robin drifts off. It is a curious thought to her. Though she isn't sure she wants to start feeling sympathy for the creature that has caused her father so much pain.
The First seems happy to debate the point. Perhaps eager. "If the Dragon is the Great Power of the land, how can she be defeated without destroying the land? Even when a Goddess is suppressed, she and the land come through in unexpected ways. And a land with no Goddess or a dead one becomes a withered badlands. What do you and your Warden envision a victory looking like? Would he become the new God of Arcadia?"
Robin chuckles slightly. "I doubt the Warden wishes to become the God of Arcadia. He has enough on his plate as it is."
She continues more seriously, "I think we'd like to see the Dragon return to her slumbers. And the Goddesses of Arcadia peaceful with one another. But as to how to achieve that..." Robin shrugs. "There are some rightfully hard feelings between at least two of the Goddesses of Arcadia."
The First of Pontus smiles, softly. "It is a serious obstacle. The tragic arts are full of tales of people who cannot come to an accommodation with the Gods of a land. They are tales that do not end well.
"Penthelisea, you should keep a clear eye out for ways to help your new friends to resolve their conflict. The Queen will want options, and your troops will gain you time to find them for her. We are counting on you."
She looks at Robin again. "We will help in any way that we can, of course, but we are a direct people and prefer to drive to the heart of matters where we can."
"I thank you for your kindness," Robin nods to the First. "I am a direct person myself and find your land and your people refreshing in that manner." A smile dances across Robin's lips.
"There is something else. I have a more personal quest that borders on our mutual plague issue. There is a flower, virulent but beautiful. It's called a firelily. It has one large white petal and fire where the stamen would normally be. This flower is able to bridge the Ways between worlds and is being used as a pathway for the Green. I'd like to find a way to permanently disable and destroy these flowers. Do you know if any have been reported in Pontus yet?"
The First of Pontus thinks for a moment. "No living specimens have been brought to me, but there are rumors and mutterings, from the upland vales. I was told of a merchant who was selling them as decorations. To be fair, they would be amazing if they could be domesticated. The tale is that his caravan burned to the ground. Most people took that as fair warning."
Pen nods and adds, "We are most grateful for your time and fine counsel, First."
She turns to Robin, "I am ready to retire for the day unless there's anything else we should discuss? Tomorrow will be a busy day."
"Of course." Robin answers with a nod then turns back to the First. "Thank you for speaking with us, First. I shall take your words to heart."
With a smile, Robin turns her attention back to Pen and gestures for her to lead them out of the First's domicile. "Am I staying with you Pen or should I find other accommodations?"
Pen explains as they leave The First's home, and take a few turns on a path up a hill, and past two clearings. "My Mother's house may be modest compared to some of the places you're used to if Amber is any measure, but for Pontus, it's spacious. It has two bedrooms, a bath, a spa, a lovely courtyard, a kitchen, and a well. It's been some time since I've been there, as I spent half my time in the barracks, but it should be just what we need."
"Sounds great!" Robin chirps. "I'm mostly used to being on the trail or in Arden. My rooms in Xanadu are rarely used."
Pen apologizes as the journey takes a little longer than she expects, as her memory fails her on two of the turns, and it looks like someone laid down a more direct path since last she's been here. Also, a few certain trees that she often uses as markers are gone.
Robin smiles and waves away Pen's apologies. She prefers the journey to the destination anyway. And she takes the extra time to let the firelizards stretch their wings.
Finally, they arrive at the house under bright moonlight. There's a modest fire burning in the small firepit in the courtyard.
As Pen leads into the courtyard, she sees a figure laying by the fire. She doesn't recognize them, but they're fast asleep. Closer, cautious examination reveals they're wearing a simple, tattered tunic, no sandals or boots, long unkempt hair, and their skin is splotched with dirt. Their right hand is tightly gripping a knife, also in desperate need of cleaning (and sharpening). They appear to be a teenage boy.
The boy looks vaguely familiar to Robin. It might be, just might be, the boy of the twins she calls Fur and Fang.
Pen approaches the sleeping intruder and says, "I don't know who you are, boy, or what you're doing in my Mother's house, but you are in a terribly dangerous place right now. If my sisters find you, they will find out how you got here and then they will kill you. Can you hear me? Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Robin hisses a little and unconsciously drops her hand to her sword handle. Will this boy be her brother? Or an enemy? She hopes for the former but wants to be prepared for the latter. She whispers to Pen, "If this is who I think it is, he might have a twin sister in the area."
The boy comes awake under Pen's grasp and twists to try to get away, putting his knife between himself and her body. "Let me go!" he says, in what Pen perceives to be the Pontian tongue, and Robin understands as if he'd spoken Thari.
Feeling that Pen can deal with a teenager with a knife, Robin looks around the courtyard for anything else out of place. Like a sister stalking up on them.
On the roof, Robin sees a girl with a sling and a rock. The firelizards screech and pop up to where she is to harry her.
(Assuming Pen has her situation under control) Robin uses the railings and posts of the courtyard to quickly climb her way to the roof. Once there, she spreads her empty hands out. "I mean you no harm. Can you put down your weapon?" The Ranger sends emotional praises to her able and brave firelizards but asks them to back off for a moment.
Pen doesn't hurt the boy, if she can avoid it, but she will use her strength to disarm him. She made that knife as a gift for her mother when she was a girl.
Pen disarms the boy easily, though it takes more effort than she might have expected. Whoever this lad is, he's got some kind of divine strength of his own, or perhaps that of an Amberite. He cries out when she disarms him...
...which makes the girl on the roof hiss, angry. "Let him go!" she commands Robin, in the same tongue as before, which Pen reads as Pontian and Robin as Thari.
The firelizards mislike this angry child. Robin can feel their urge to burn her sling or steal her rocks or something, but since Robin is trying to calm them, they forgo the satisfaction for the moment.
Pen questions her intruder, "Alright boy, who are you, and what are you doing here? And who's the girl on the roof?"
"We followed the trail," the boy says. "The fire trail."
And sure enough, off in the distance, Robin can see a tiny road of fiery lights coming toward the villa from the distance. She doesn't need her Pattern sense to know those are firelillies.
Robin keeps her hands in sight as she looks back to the girl. "Are the people of this house safe? Do they know you are here?"
"Nobody knows we're here but you," the girl hisses again. "And the flowers, but they follow us always."
"Really?" Robin quirks her head at that. Then she raises her voice so she can be heard clearly down in the courtyard. "How about we all settle down in the courtyard and have a chat without weapons or threats, hmmm?"
Pen echoes back, "She speaks true. I will offer no violence if you do the same, and we can come to a peaceful accord."
The girl looks at Robin and the firelizards. "Do you promise?" She clearly seems to have the lead of the two of them.
The boy looks up at Robin and the firelizards. "They're not going to try to eat us?" "I promise." Robin says with a nod. "And no, they're not going to try to eat you." Robin keeps a straight face but there is a twinkle of humor in her eyes.
Robin lowers her hands and starts to climb down from the roof. She keeps an eye on the girl and the sling.
Three firelizards watch Robin closely before poofing into place beside her when she's standing on the ground.
"I accept your promise," the girl says ritually. The stone and sling vanish into a sort of bag slung over her shoulder across her body. With the plasticity of youth, she scrambles down the side of the building even more quickly than Robin.
"You can call me May," the girl says. "You can call him August."
August has scrambled to his feet, and absent some interference from Pen, he moves to join his sister.
"May. August." Robin acknowledges with a nod.
"I'm Captain Pen, and this is Robin," says Pen, trying to ease the tone of her voice and sound less like a soldier. "You said that you followed the fire trail to get here, but also that the flowers always follow you." She pauses, considering what army of Arcadian nightmares might come charging down that trail at any moment. "Where did you come from and did you come here on purpose or were you just seeing where the trail would take you?"
Robin pays attention to the adolescents as she gathers her brave and wonderful firelizards to herself for some calming skritches.
"I think the trail was following her." May points at Robin. "The Robin. But we didn't want to go further toward the town because people always want to civilize us. So we rested here because it seemed safe enough. Sorry we disturbed your nest, Captain Pen." May sounds like she thinks Captain Pen is one word and a name.
August looks at Pen, hangdog. "I thought the nest was abandoned. I didn't mean to take something that you were coming back for."
Robin chuckles in sympathy when May mentions people always wanting to civilize them. She doesn't like that either though she's adapted... well, adapting to it. "So you were just exploring then?" Robin asks.
The firelizards are delighted by skritches, but Robin is pretty sure they're tempted by the possibility of tasty, tasty burning flowers.
"Just exploring," May agrees.
August adds, "And keeping away from Mother."
Pen is trying to estimate how long they have before someone else notices either the trail of firelilies or sudden activity at the typically empty house up the hill, but raises an eyebrow at that last remark. "Who is your Mother?"
Robin is interested in hearing the response to that question herself.
Pen thinks it could be anything between a few minutes to a watch. Probably on the shorter side for the firelillies if people saw Pen and Robin, which might lead to expecting activity at her house.
"Our mother is Kalliste," August answers Pen.
"A goddess of Arcadia?" Robin wants to be sure.
Pen is not completely certain of the implications of this admission, but her gaze turns immediately to Robin, her eyes wild. "Cousin, do you have access to Warden Julian or Uncle Gerard's..."and she fumbles to remember the word for the magic doorway, "Trump? Or perhaps your good friend, Vere? Any cousin will do. We are in desperate need of an exit, for if the Queen discovers either of these wards with us, their lives, AND ours, will be worth less than a brass denarii by sunrise."
There is a pleading in Pen's tone that suggests she had seen the Queen's swift justice before, and while it is terribly efficient, it is not kind.
"Kalliste of Arcadia," May agrees with Robin, nodding.
Robin looks at Pen for a moment,then nods. One should trust one's native guides. And if Pen says it isn't safe, then it's not safe. Turning back to the twins, Robin asks, "Would you like to meet your Father?" as she pulls her beaded Trump pouch out from an inner pocket.
"Mother says--" August begins, but May cuts him off.
"If we need to leave and he will take us," May says firmly, "We will go."
Robin nods again. Then she takes a deep breath to clear her mind. Pulling out her Trump of Julian, she concentrates on the image on the card. While others may think her father cold, she smiles knowing the nurturing man he really is.
It takes Julian a little time to answer. Perhaps he was in the middle of doing something. "Who calls?" he asks. "And what news?"
"Hi, Father. It's Robin." She smiles warmly to Julian. "I'm in Pontus and the Queen is going to be sending a company of warriors to our aid. Iiii'mmm going to try for a resupply too.
"But that's not why I calling. Pen and I have come across two explorers here in Pontus. They say they followed a firelily path here. Or maybe created one to me. I don't have all the details yet. Anyway, they call themselves May and August and are your children by Kalliste. They can't stay here and are willing to come to you. Do you want to meet them?" Robin's not sure if Julian would want the twins there in the middle of the war camp. And she's a little worried about hostage situations though she trusts her father not to get involved with that kind of thing.
"I'll take them," Julian says at once, his concern echoing through the connection. "Do you and Pen need to come through as well?"
"Though I'm really sorry to miss getting to know my sister and brother, I think we'll stay here in Pontus. So we can lead that company back to Arden. Did you have any place you wanted them delivered to?" Robin asks.
Pen listens intently to Robin's end of the conversation as she surveys the area for any sign of interlopers, either Pontian or Arcadian. She realizes that offloading these two is only forestalling an inevitable calamity, but it's necessary, and thank Athena that we have the means. We still have the path of firelilies to deal with, but that's explicable. If anything, the presence of the firelilies here strengthens the argument for decisive action against the Arcadians with our new allies. That argument may take some convincing, but Pen is happy to enter that fight.
The goddesses have blessed them, for there is no sign of anyone coming, save what comes at the end of the firelillies.
Someday, Pen thinks, when this struggle with Arcadia has passed, and she has found a home in the realms of Amber, she would like to have a few of these Trumps of her own. She wonders if it's possible for someone to craft one of her Mother or Chirope. Her heart flutters at that last name. The absence of some people in your life cannot truly be measured.
Julian explains where he'd like them to meet, which will be a different clearing to the one he was camping in when Robin left. Not a fallback, but clearly Julian is keeping things on the move. "Contact me when you're leaving, in case our plans change," he adds unnecessarily. "And now let me meet my other son and daughter."
Robin nods to show that she's noted the location to bring the company of Amazons too and that she will contact Julian before they leave Pontus.
Then she speaks to May and August while keeping her attention on the card. She doesn't trust herself to look away and still maintain contact. She really hasn't used the Trumps enough to have gained any sort of mastery. "May? August? If you could hold hands and one of you could place a hand on my shoulder. When you do so, you will see an image of our Father in your mind. He will hold his hand out to you. Take his hand and he will pull you through the magic of the card to where he is."
Robin feels compelled to add. "I really wish I was going with you and could come to know you better. Perhaps in the future we will have a chance to speak and eat over a bonfire."
May looks at her sister. "I want that too." She grabs August and then puts her hand on Robin's shoulder, gasping as the other side of the Trump connection comes into her view. August, too, makes a sound of wonder.
"Take my hand," Julian says to the boy, and reaches for him. August, whose fear and excitement are tangible to Robin, and presumably Julian, takes a moment to do so. "And step forward, with the intention of coming to me. Let go of Robin as you do so."
The twins are clearly used to coordinating together. They manage the transit with ease. On the far side, Julian releases August's hand and a lot of tension drains from the contact, leaving Julian's calmness to center things.
He asks, "Is there aught else for now, Robin?"
Robin breathes a sigh of relief as she takes in her Father's calmness. It is a sharp contrast to Pen's... concern over the twins being found.
"Nothing else." Robin says. "I will call again when we are ready to leave. Be safe."
"You be safe also, Robin," Julian says, which is almost certainly spoken so fully for the benefit of May and August. Then the contact closes, leaving Robin and Pen in Pen's home, with some small evidence of the passage of the two youths and firelillies burning in the distance.
Last modified: 3 June 2023